Lee buries himself in prep work day before press conference

President Lee Jae Myung has entered full preparation mode ahead of a press conference scheduled for Friday.

According to Cheong Wa Dae, Lee has no outside engagements Thursday and is expected to spend the day in his office focused entirely on preparing for the event.

He is reviewing lists of anticipated questions compiled by each senior secretariat office, refining his responses and working through model answers in a final push before the conference.

Cheong Wa Dae had initially considered holding the press conference Wednesday morning, sources said.

However, Lee's packed diplomatic schedule — including a state visit to France followed by the Korea-Central Asia Summit — left insufficient time to prepare and thoroughly review expected questions, prompting the decision to push the event back by one day.

The press conference will open with remarks from Lee on recent issues before moving to an open question-and-answer session with reporters.

The order of questions is expected to be determined on the spot, with a Cheong Wa Dae official serving as moderator and calling on reporters who raise their hands.

At a previous press conference on the 30th day of his presidency, questioners were selected by lottery to demonstrate that no prior coordination had taken place — but that format drew criticism for potentially leaving out questions on issues the public most wanted addressed.

This press conference was called abruptly, with Lee seeking to address a range of issues head-on as his approval rating has fallen to its lowest point since taking office.

Cheong Wa Dae is deliberating over how to select questioners in a way that draws out candid responses from the president.

The prevailing sentiment inside the presidential office is to surface unfiltered public concern over the approval rating decline and other pressing issues, and to elicit clear answers from Lee.

Within the ruling camp, voices are calling for the press conference to include not only self-reflection on the administration's conduct but also concrete plans for reform going forward.

A first-term lawmaker from the ruling bloc said they hoped the conference would address the personnel vetting and recommendation process. "I want to hear the president's thoughts on how he plans to do better with future appointments," the lawmaker said.

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Yun Geon-yeong also weighed in during a radio appearance Thursday morning. "If the public wants 10, I hope the president gives 11," Yun said, adding that Lee should leave nothing unsaid. Yun said the press conference was essential "to create a turning point that stops the slide in approval ratings and secures the momentum needed to drive the administration forward."